MPs' expense claims

[ACE2M]

I quite like the "I didn't know my mortgage was paid off" one..

wish I could make an accounting error like that.

you wouldn't because nobody would, neither did they when they kept claiming, they just got busted. MP's on the whole are out and out liars.

[G1BTW]

"I think the system is flawed. So I will milk it for all it is worth."

still not quite as bad as then using the parliamentary system to try and block and process (Freedom of Information, enshrined in law) from demonstrating exactly how bad you've been

still again not quite as bad as bullshitting the electorate with crap like "this is just an accounting error and as soon as I found out [that I'd been rumbled] I paid the lot back.

[George2Loose]

They shouldn't have been doing it but agree they're not paid in comparison with the private sector

You telling me part of the make up of our utility bills aren't spent on fat cat expenses/bonuses/whores and God knows what else???

[Wardonkey]

The thing that baffles me most is why all the details have been allowed to drip out over a period of months, once it was realised that the info was not secure they should have released the lot at once. The way it's been handled has been farcical, the damage to the integrity of parliament has been maximised along with the profits of the mole and the sales of the Telegraph.

The whole business saddens me greatly. I do think that MP's should be paid a better salary and that the salary should cover most of things claimed as 'expenses' now. I have no doubt that the great majority of MP's have acted in good faith, but it also seems that a significant minority have abused the system for personal gain. Those that are found to have acted dishonestly should be charged with fraud. The argument that 'everybody does it' does not wash, theft is theft. Those people elected to write the laws should be living within them.

That the current system is crap is obvious to all. An independent body should be established to set pay scales for MP's and any new expenses system needs to be transparent and simple.

In fact the whole parliamentary system needs to be reformed. It is outdated, once revered and now mocked. We need PR and we need a written constitution. I would not be surprised if the turnout for the next general election falls below 50%.

That was a party political broadcast on behalf of the Donkey Poo Party.

[boldie]

That was a party political broadcast on behalf of the Donkey Poo Party.

you'll get more votes than Labour or the Conservatives (and obv. Lib Dems) if you run as a new party at the next national elections.

[boldie]

I hate to think of how bad the Gravy train running out of the European Parliament is...

oh, It's massively ridiculous over there. Truly, astonishingly, bad. There are a fairly large amount of thieves in the EP. (People that have others sign in for them so they can claim their daily allowance)
But, Westminster MPs were moaning about "how corrupt the European system was" for ages. All this time they were milking a similarly corrupt system themselves.

Many lolz at this whole situation and Brown and Cameron (I won't mention Clegg as he's a nobody) now calling for the system to be overhauled when they didn't want this a year ago. They should all be banned from holding public office again. This is not Italy or some other banana republic FFS, get rid of the lot of em.

[Indestructable]

Good news a scape goat has been found so the panic is over. 

[boldie]

Good news a scape goat has been found so the panic is over. 

Yep, although I didn't have a lot of time for this Speaker (who was nothing short of a bully) he sure as hell wasn't to blame for this.

[G1BTW]

Good news a scape goat has been found so the panic is over. 

Yep, although I didn't have a lot of time for this Speaker (who was nothing short of a bully) he sure as hell wasn't to blame for this.

I think he increased the public's disdain for the House of Commons by previously allowing MPs to investigate their own expenses; fighting the ruling on the release of MP's expense details under the FOInfo Act; failure to quickly show contrition on behalf of the House after the recent revelations; being a bit too chubby.

If you want to start to repair the image of Parliament, you just cannot do it with that guy at the helm. Even if he did it right, the public perception of him is already that he seeks to preserve members' interests against the public interest. He had to go.

[boldie]

Good news a scape goat has been found so the panic is over. 

Yep, although I didn't have a lot of time for this Speaker (who was nothing short of a bully) he sure as hell wasn't to blame for this.

I think he increased the public's disdain for the House of Commons by previously allowing MPs to investigate their own expenses; fighting the ruling on the release of MP's expense details under the FOInfo Act; failure to quickly show contrition on behalf of the House after the recent revelations; being a bit too chubby.

Don't forget that he also didn't speak proper English.

[G1BTW]

Good news a scape goat has been found so the panic is over. 

Yep, although I didn't have a lot of time for this Speaker (who was nothing short of a bully) he sure as hell wasn't to blame for this.

I think he increased the public's disdain for the House of Commons by previously allowing MPs to investigate their own expenses; fighting the ruling on the release of MP's expense details under the FOInfo Act; failure to quickly show contrition on behalf of the House after the recent revelations; being a bit too chubby.

Don't forget that he also didn't speak proper English.

OardaHr! OARDAHR!!

Skip forward to 06.00: Farce!

[G1BTW]

LOL, beat me to it

[Karabiner]

I have nothing but admiration for the guy who claimed £4k or howevermuch it was to have his moat cleaned.

Chutzpa of the highest order.

[ACE2M]

Good news a scape goat has been found so the panic is over. 

Yep, although I didn't have a lot of time for this Speaker (who was nothing short of a bully) he sure as hell wasn't to blame for this.

I think he increased the public's disdain for the House of Commons by previously allowing MPs to investigate their own expenses; fighting the ruling on the release of MP's expense details under the FOInfo Act; failure to quickly show contrition on behalf of the House after the recent revelations; being a bit too chubby.

Don't forget that he also didn't speak proper English.

OardaHr! OARDAHR!!

Skip forward to 06.00: Farce!

ha ha, love the last bit from blair, he could be pretty sharp, have to give him that.

[G1BTW]

Yeah, pretty funny looking at it in light of the current milieu. Go Gordon! Go Gordon!